10/31/2012

Ticats chase playoffs while Argos Owens eyes record

Ticats head coach George Cortez is
sporting a bit of extra bling this week but the decision to wear his
2001 Grey Cup ring isn't intended a fashion statement – it's a
mission statement.

Cortez was offensive coordinator with
the Stampeders that season and says he sees some similarities between
that squad and the 2012 edition of the Ticats.

“We went into the last game in '01
having to win to make the playoffs and we did. And we ended up
winning the Grey Cup,” Cortez said Wednesday. “I've worn it as a
little bit of a reminder.”

Pick any dire straights cliche from
football's ample lexicon – must-win, do-or-die, no tomorrow – and
it applies to Hamilton as they roll into Toronto to face the
Argonauts Thursday night. The Ticats need a victory against Toronto
and a loss by the Eskimos on Friday against Calgary to make the
post-season. A loss to the Double Blue means Hamilton's season is
over.

“We've been through some ugly
situations this year and so we keep things in perspective,”
quarterback Henry Burris said. “We're a confident bunch right now
but it means nothing if we can't get it done.”

The Argos have comparatively little on
the line as they've locked up a home playoff date and will host the
East Division semi-final on Nov. 11. As a result, the team is sitting
eight starters including quarterback Ricky Ray, running backs Chad
Kackert and Andre Durie as well as defensive stalwarts Robert McCune,
Marcus Ball and Ronald Flemons.

While Toronto coach Scott Milanovich
acknowledged he was resting key contributors before the playoffs –
Ray missed three games with a sprained knee earlier this season –
he's also curious to see how some of his depth players react to a
pressure-packed situation.

“Guys still play to win. With so much
on the line for Hamilton, guys understand that this will probably be
the most physical game that we've seen all year,” Milanovich said.
“I think it's a great opportunity for some of these guys to play
against a team with playoff intensity.”

Veteran Jarious Jackson will get the
start at quarterback but will play only about a quarter so expect to
see quite a bit of back ups Trevor Harris and Zach Callaros. The
Argos are 7-6 in games Ray has finished and our 1-3 when he does not.

But Burris said Toronto's success
against his club this season – the Double Blue have won two out of
three against Hamilton, including 33-30 victory on Labour Day –
will keep the Ticats from viewing this game as a potential cakewalk.

“It doesn't allow us to be
overconfident. Toronto's defence has had success against us the last
few times we've played them,” Burris said.

There is one order of business on the
agenda for the Argos: get Chad Owens the team record for combined
yards in a season. Owens needs 73 yards to surpass Mike “Pinball”
Clemons' 1997 mark of 3,840 all-purpose yards.

Milanovich acknowledged that Owens
would likely be sitting this one out were it not for the milestone
but felt the 30-year-old deserved the recognition.

“For him to go as long as he has with
the load we've given him says something about his toughness,”
Milanovich said. “I think he's deserving of the recognition.”

Should the Ticats win on Thursday,
they'll still need help from the Stampeders to make the post-season.
While Burris – who was traded from Calgary to Hamilton last January
– said the team is trying not to look ahead, he's reached out to a
few former teammates.

“I've texted a few guys and said
'hey, do you your boy a favour,” Burris said.

Cortez was mostly incommunicado with
his friends in Calgary – Stamps head coach John Hufnagel, a Cortez
confidant, called to bitch about the weather – but the first-year
Ticat boss is hoping to draw from lessons learned. The 2001 Grey Cup
win came after the team won three of it's last four to finish a
pedestrian 8-10 before running the table.

“Even when things are down and out
sometimes, the whole object of the 18-game exercise is to get into
the tournament,” Cortez said. “And once you get into the
tournament, anything is possible.”

Notes: The Ticats made just one change
to their 46-man roster ahead of Thursday's game, adding defensive end
Brandon Pegeuse in place of defensive back Armando Murillo. Despite
practicing this week, linebacker Jamall Johnson will miss his fourth
game with back spasms... With one more touchdown Chris Williams can
set a new Ticat record of 16 in a single season. Williams is
currently tied with Tony Champion (1989) and Ronald Williams (1999,
2000)... Hamilton is just 1-4 in games decided by 4 points or less.

I noticed that neither Simpson or Volny (or whoever else was at RB for the Bombers didn`t gain many yards BUT Owens returns kicks AND punts and is known for YAC so Special Teams will have to be on their toes for sure. Owens usually doesn`t have as good a game receiving when Ray isn`t playing so that is to the Ticats advantage.

I'll be at the game tomorrow and wearing balck + gold to work tomorow. They better DAMN well win!! And please, please, please let the D stop Owens from the record. He's far too much of a hot dog for my taste. And I wouldn't want him taking Pinball's record - that man's a low-key humble guy.

All players play to win... it's the reason you play games... but starters are starters for the simple reason they are better... so if Argos sit many of their's then the Ticats had better win... or it is a damning testament to the recruiting, coaching, chemistry and many things that have gone wrong with this season's Tabbies...

Then again, if the Ticats do win big... and go on to make the playoffs... then maybe all of us bloggers have been wrong and Obie, Cortez & Creehan actually do know what they're doing...